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@uiten tang @anni @frn Leegte Patent No. 82,901, dans october 6, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN -BRAGE AND SKIRT-SUPPORTERCOMBINED.

dla Sttgetult ruimt tu im itin litters uert tnt mating put ni tte same.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, RUTH ANN N. ATWOOD WARD, of city and county ofPhiladelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Shoulder-Braces and Skirt-Supporters; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full and correct description of the same,sulicient to enable others skilled in the art to which my inventionappertains to fully understand and construct the same, reference beinghad t0 the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification,in which- Figure 1 is a rear view of my improved brace and supporter asworn on the person, and Figure 2 is a view, showing the front part andits attachment. Like letters of reference indicateV like parts in thetwo figures. The nature of my invention consists in the peculiarconstruction of a brace and skirt-supporter, whereby I do'away with thewearing of corsets, and at the same time form a convenient means ofsupporting the skirt. a, in fg. 2 of the drawings, represent pieces towhich are attached straps, 6, of belting, which pass over the shoulder,and at c connect with other straps of belting, cZ ef, and an elasticstrap, g.

The straps dare connected to the pieces a by means of short elasticstraps` h. The straps e extend straight downwardly, and form acontinuation of straps b. Strapsf extenddownward under the arm, passingto the front, where its bight,f, buckles in the double-endedbuckle-strap z, and passing upward forms a loop, j, around a shortelastic strap, k, which connects the belting-strapZ to the lower end ofpiece a. The strap Zpasses through a loop, Z', on strapf, and, passingover straps e and oZ on the back, buckles into an elastic buckle-strapattached to the other piece a and strapf.

The free ends of straps @Z and e buckle into buckle-straps, m, provided,as well as buckle-straps z', with buttons, by means of which to secureloops n on the skirt-band 0or the buttons may button into button-holeson the band 0.

There are three distinct lines of bracing in my improved brace andsupporter. The rst is by the straps' e piece a, straps 71: and Z, and itserves to throw the upper portion ofthe upper part of the body, thatisrbreast, shoulders, and neck, well out. The second line is by strapsrZVhh, piece a, straps k and Z, and it serves to throw back theshoulders, and to prevent stooping. The third line is byistraps b L,piece a, straps c,j`, Z, and g, and this serves to balance the other twolines of bracing, and to support the back in place of a corset. Andwhereas a corset, being comparatively stiflV and unyielding, whilesupporting the body, prevents its free movement, my brace allows everymuscle of the upper part-of the body its full Afl'ree play,and yetsupports.- the same firmly, the elastic straps gh c' allowing theA braceto conform itself to the body, without yielding more 'than is necessary,and at the same time supporting the skirt or skirts, which thus'rneednot to be tied around the waist, this tight tying being, as is wellknown, very injurious to the health.

The brace and supporter can be made in all sizes. to suit persons ofdifferent lage and stature, and is easily adjusted by the wearerto thebody by means of strap Zand the buckling-straps d ef.

Having thus described my invention, what Iv claim. as new, and desire tosecure .by Letters Patent, is-

The improved brace'and supporter consisting of pieces a, straps ofbelting d, @,f, and Z, buckle-strapsi and m, and elastic straps g h k,when arranged to operate for bracing and supporting, substantially asdescribed.

To` the above I have signed my name, this eleventh day ot' September,1868.

MRS. RUTH ANN N. ATWOOD WARD.

Witnesses:

WM. A. WIEDERSHEIM, H. M. WIEDERSHIM.

